The results of studying emotional characteristics and personality traits in mothers (N = 103) who raise preschoolers with cerebral palsy of different severity vs. the same features in mothers of potentially healthy children (N = 50) are presented. Impacts of psychophysical development, communication and behavior peculiarities in children with cerebral palsy on personality traits, self-perception, perception of a child and attitude towards a child’s disease in their mothers are considered. It is shown that on the stage of bringing up a preschooler suffering cerebral palsy psychological defense mechanisms of denial and repression are developed in his/her mother particularly if the child significantly delays in motor skills and mental function development.

Pevneva A.N. Psychological states in mothers of children with cerebral palsy as starting points of a psychological syndrome. Psychological Science and Education, No. 2. http://www.psyedu.ru/journal/2011/2/2120.phtml